Where's Blago? Former gov the only Illinois leader without an official portrait

Thursday

Jan 28, 2010 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2010 at 1:42 PM

Whether saint or sinner or something in between, every man who served as governor of Illinois has a portrait in the Hall of Governors, the public hallway on the south wing of the Capitol's second floor. Every one except one: Rod Blagojevich, the only governor in the state's history to leave office through impeachment.

Doug Finke

George Ryan has one even though he is now in federal prison.

Otto Kerner has one even though he, too, ended up in prison.

Len Small never went to prison, but he stood trial. He was acquitted by a jury, four of whom got state jobs after the trial. He's got one.

Rod Blagojevich? He doesn't have one.

Whether saint or sinner or something in between, every man who served as governor of Illinois has a portrait in the Hall of Governors, the public hallway on the south wing of the Capitol's second floor. Every one except one: Blagojevich, the only governor in the state's history to leave office through impeachment.

On the eve of the first anniversary of Blagojevich's ouster, there isn't exactly a groundswell to change things.

There is no money in the state budget to pay for an official portrait of Blagojevich that can be displayed with the other 40 portraits of Illinois' governors. (Those portraits include a painting of William Ewing, who served all of 15 days in 1834).

Nor are many people much interested in talking about the portrait.

For example, Gov. Pat Quinn had nothing to say about it because his focus "is on generating more jobs for Illinois and fixing the state's economy," said spokesman Bob Reed.

Quinn's position was a little clearer a year ago when, in his first press availability after being sworn in as governor, he was asked if Blagojevich's picture would be added to the Hall of Governors.

"Yes," Quinn replied.

Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, was one of Blagojevich's few supporters in the Illinois House. He said he would "love to comment" about Blagojevich's portrait on Feb. 3, the day after the primary election. Two people are running against Dunkin in the primary.

"The Senate president isn't the least bit concerned about hanging Blagojevich's portrait," said Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, in response to a question.

Some measure of support came from an unlikely source, Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo. Franks was a frequent and stern critic of Blagojevich and even pushed a recall amendment to the state Constitution before Blagojevich was impeached. Franks said that if Ryan's portrait is in the Hall of Governors, Blagojevich probably deserves to be there, too.

"I don't think we should shy away from the past. He was elected twice," Franks said. "We should not change tradition because of a scoundrel."

Franks also said a Blagojevich portrait would serve as a reminder to voters that they must be careful about whom they choose to elect.

"I would prefer it be paid for with private funds," Franks said. "There are plenty of lobbyists out there who made money off of his administration. Maybe one of them would pay for it."

Finally, he said, a Blagojevich portrait should be in a gold frame.

Blagojevich might never get a portrait in the Capitol if lawmakers approve a bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville. Black's bill would prohibit display among the Capitol's official portraits "any image of a governor who ahs been removed from office by impeachment and conviction."

Black could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.

Executive Mansion Curator Dave Bourland said money for official portraits is usually included by the General Assembly in money set aside to cover transition expenses when statewide offices change hands. Usually there's about two months between the general election and the swearing in of a new governor.

"The last time we had about a 10-minute transition," Bourland said.

The cost of a portrait isn't enormous, but it isn't inexpensive, either. James Thompson's portrait cost $15,000, while Ryan's cost $18,350.

"I think you'd be hard pressed to find somebody to lead a bill in the House or Senate asking the General Assembly for money. I don't think you'd get a lot of support," Bourland said.

Springfield author Taylor Penseneau helped update the famous history of Illinois governors, "Mostly Good and Competent Men."

"I think it might be difficult to deny Blagojevich a portrait along with the other Illinois governors," Penseneau said. "Frankly, he has not been convicted. To my knowledge, other governors who have bee indicted and in some cases convicted are included in the hallway.

"You can't forget that he was elected twice which is one hick of an achievement irrespective of how he is currently regarded," Penseneau said.

Doug Finke can be reached at doug.finke@sj-r.com.

TOUR GUIDES ON THE SPOT

Tour guides at the state Capitol often hear the same question from visitors when they reach the prestigious Hall of Governors on the building's south wing. Where's Rod Blagojevich's portrait?

The space reserved for an image of the disgraced former governor has remained empty since he was removed from office last year on corruption charges.

Jenny Glisson, who supervises the tours, said people ask about Blagojevich's portrait "pretty much every time" a tour is given at the Capitol.

Glisson said tour guides normally don't talk about the photo unless they are asked.

"We don't know when it's going to be put up or if it's going to be put up," she said.

Glisson said some visitors also ask why the Capitol does not have an image of current Gov. Pat Quinn. Most gubernatorial portraits are added to the Hall of Governors after the person is out of office.

- John Guidroz

RYAN’S UNVEILING

The last portrait added to the Capitol's Hall of Governors belongs to George Ryan.

Despite ongoing corruption investigations hovering over him, Ryan was joined by family, friends, former employees and politicians of both parties when the portrait was officially dedicated in November 2003.

The list of speakers included a who's-who of Illinois politics, including former Gov. James Thompson, Secretary of State Jesse White, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and former Attorney General Roland Burris.

"I feel good about everything that I did while I was in office," Ryan said.

The licenses-for-bribes scandal that eventually sent Ryan to prison was never mentioned, although Thompson alluded to it afterward.

"Every public official goes through a lot of worry and wonder about what people who work for him and with him more or may not do," Thompson said. "I don't think it's proper to assess that George is responsible for all of that. We'll let history be that judge."

Then Gov. Rod Blagojevich was also in attendance. He'd been harshly critical of Ryan's tenure as governor. Blagojevich said he was not asked to speak. Ryan noted his presence, though.

"You heard a lot of things I think you need to hear today," Ryan said after speeches praising his work.

Ryan then said he was only kidding.

Ryan added that someday there would be an unveiling ceremony for a portrait of Blagojevich.

"I hope somebody shows up," Blagojevich quipped.

- Doug Finke

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